8x12 chicken coop!

[JanetS]

Looking great so far. How many chickens do you have?

 

[windnleavesfarm]

I want to say close to 16 maybe. but I'll be getting I think 30 more in the spring some to butcher and some to keep as layers. I have an egg business.

 

[coop-er]

D

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I want to say close to 16 maybe. but I'll be getting I think 30 more in the spring some to butcher and some to keep as layers. I have an egg business.
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Do you have any additional pictures? I am planning a new coop for my flock this Spring and I like the size and shape of this one. Thank you.

 

[windnleavesfarm]

Sure I'll find some tomorrow (2/26/14) and post them!

 

[windnleavesfarm]

 

[Sierrab]

We are in the process of building a coop also and I was thinking about putting in the nests where eggs roll away so they would stay clean and easier to collect.
Have you considered that? if so can you share your plans?
I'm stuck on how tall to make the front/entrance vs the back so not to break the eggs when they roll down.

 

[chickkrakidd]

We are in the process of building a coop also and I was thinking about putting in the nests where eggs roll away so they would stay clean and easier to collect.
Have you considered that? if so can you share your plans?
I'm stuck on how tall to make the front/entrance vs the back so not to break the eggs when they roll down.

That would b my only concern... the eggs roll too fast& break. Unless you could find something soft to catch them so they wouldn't break. Like maybe some kind of foam?

 

[coop-er]

Will this be all "chicken space" or will you have storage in there also? I like this coop style and I am wondering if I were to build a similar one, could it be divided into 8x8 living space and 8x4 storage area and be enough room for 17 chickens (12 LF & 4 bantams). There will be an attached run, accessible all day. They will be locked up in the coop at night.

 

[chickkrakidd]

@windnleavesfarm so I'm getting 15 chickens in April& planning on building a 5x12 coop with a 12x12 run, would this be an alright size? I might wanna mention that 7 of them are for meat birds& most likely won't live past 3 to 4 months. Also, 2 of the 8 I'm keeping are roos& are being kept for breeding later. The Roos will be separated, the coop is going to be kinda split up, as well as the run. Could I build a block coop or would it be too cold for them during the winter months, even with a heat lamp? Also, what kind of wire would be best to use on the run? I was thinking chicken wire with dirt piled on top as a skirt& welded wire around the run& on top. Then maybe hardware cloth to split the run between the 2 Roos& 6 hens, would that be ok or should I use chicken wire? Sorry for all the questions, I'm an amateur with chickens& you seem to know what you're doing, thanks!!

 

[windnleavesfarm]

@windnleavesfarm so I'm getting 15 chickens in April& planning on building a 5x12 coop with a 12x12 run, would this be an alright size? I might wanna mention that 7 of them are for meat birds& most likely won't live past 3 to 4 months. Also, 2 of the 8 I'm keeping are roos& are being kept for breeding later. The Roos will be separated, the coop is going to be kinda split up, as well as the run. Could I build a block coop or would it be too cold for them during the winter months, even with a heat lamp? Also, what kind of wire would be best to use on the run? I was thinking chicken wire with dirt piled on top as a skirt& welded wire around the run& on top. Then maybe hardware cloth to split the run between the 2 Roos& 6 hens, would that be ok or should I use chicken wire? Sorry for all the questions, I'm an amateur with chickens& you seem to know what you're doing, thanks!!

I think that that would be plenty space for them I have a summer coop that is about that big (if I remember correctly) and I had 12 Rhode islands like in there. So people disagree with me on the amount of space but I've been dealing with chickens since I was little. It also helps that you are letting them run outside because that will give them a lot of extra space. I personally use chicken wire from TSC but not the plastic kind because honestly the plastic is crap. Get actual chicken wire that's what I use and staple it to the fence. Also I take old fence posts and run it parallel to the ground and pile it with dirt so its harder for something to get in. Also you may not need a heat lamp. I don't use one in my coop because well it is a fire hazard and also what I do is keep piling bedding down this will make the floor higher making it warmer. then when spring comes or in my case it gets above 35 degrees I'll let them out and clean the coop out, let it dry out for a little bit and then throw bedding down. Don't worry about all the questions I am the same way! I hope this helps I can send pics if you would like. If you need anything just ask I'd be happy to help!